Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) was a German writer and, according to George Eliot, “Germany’s greatest man of letters… and the last true polymath to walk the earth.”

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe Quotes and Saying

A person places themselves on a level with the ones they praise.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Character, in great and little things, means carrying through what you feel able to do.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Men show their character in nothing more clearly than what they think laughable.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Character is formed in the stormy billows of the world.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Magic is believing in yourself, if you can do that, you can make anything happen.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Error is acceptable as long as we are young; but one must not drag it along into old age.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

The credit of advancing science has always been due to individuals and never to the age.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Everything in the world may be endured except continued prosperity.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

If you modestly enjoy your fame you are not unworthy to rank with the holy.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

He only earns his freedom and his life Who takes them every day by storm.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

We usually lose today, because there has been a yesterday, and tomorrow is coming.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

He who has a task to perform must know how to take sides, or he is quite unworthy of it.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Divide and rule, the politician cries; unite and lead, is watchword of the wise.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Destiny grants us our wishes, but in its own way, in order to give us something beyond our wishes.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Men show their characters in nothing more clearly than in what they think laughable.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

All theory, dear friend, is gray, but the golden tree of life springs ever green.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

If you start to think of your physical and moral condition, you usually find that you are sick.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

One cannot develop taste from what is of average quality but only from the very best.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Beauty is a manifestation of secret natural laws, which otherwise would have been hidden from us forever.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Certain defects are necessary for the existence of individuality.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Every author in some way portrays himself in his works, even if it be against his will.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

The biggest problem with every art is by the use of appearance to create a loftier reality.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Talk well of the absent whenever you have the opportunity.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

One can be instructed in society, one is inspired only in solitude.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Letters are among the most significant memorial a person can leave behind them.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

He who does not think much of himself is much more esteemed than he imagines.
- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe